Citizen concerned voters were misled

LAKEPORT -- A Lakeport man encountered what he qualified as a deceptive practice Monday when he approached a petitioner who was sitting outside of Safeway in Lakeport.

Like many people who gather signatures for petitions they believe should become law, the petitioner Tom Guthrie encountered was sitting outside of the grocery store with legislative literature displayed on his table, but his literature advocated variety of topics, not all in connection to what a sign on his table suggested.

Guthrie, who was shopping with his family, encountered a man who was sitting by a table that displayed a sign that read, "sign here to support children's hospitals."

On his way out, Guthrie's adult son noticed literature about marijuana grows on the petitioner's table, Guthrie said. Guthrie then approached the man, who handed him three petitions, one about children's hospitals, one regarding a regulation asking doctors to take drug tests around days they perform surgeries and a third about the ban on illegal marijuana grows.

The petitioner, Guthrie said, did not seem to be well-informed about the latest marijuana ordinance passed, which was voted into law by county supervisors Dec. 17, and was even a little bothered that he did not have up to date information on the matter.

On Thursday, Guthrie said he encountered two petitioners at the Safeway in Lakeport, one more at the Safeway in Clearlake and another at the Walmart in the same city.

He added that he was concerned people were being misled into signing petitions they don't agree with and that he had spoken to three people who said they were not sure they understood the petition they signed.

Registrar of Voters Diane C. Fridley said that anyone who wants to remove their signature from a petition may request to have their signature withdrawn by filing a signed written request with the Registrar of Voters office prior to the date the referendum petition is filed. She added that, since it is unknown when the petition will be filed, it is recommended the request is filed as soon as possible.

For the current referendum petition being circulated, the written request must include the voter's name, residence address, a statement requesting that his or her name be withdrawn from the referendum petition signed and an original signature, preferably signed in blue ink.

She added that she had received at least one request to for removal from a petition.

A spokesman at Safeway said the store is taking steps to stop petitioning from occurring at Safeway stores.

"Safeway, like many other retailers, does not permit petitioning and advocacy because our customers want to shop efficiently without distraction, delay or harassment," stated Keith Turner, director of public and government affairs for the Northern California division of Safeway Inc.

The company's management and its attorney's have told the petitioners to leave, but the petitioners have ignored the requests, Turner stated. He added that on Thursday, Safeway personnel asked representatives from the campaigns petitioners represent to help remove their petitioners from Safeway property.?

Anyone with questions on how to remove their name from a petition can contact the Registrar of Voters office at 263-2372.

Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.